Firearm



A. B. PRATT.

FIHEAHM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY l5. |916.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A; B. PRATT.

FjREARM. APPLICATION FILED MAY 15 l9l6.

Patented Dec. 24, 1919.

4 SHEETS- SHEET 3.

IH KQ A; B. PRATT.

w w E .D ...Mr t* W%/\\.\\\\\\\\s W E d n H A P.` MN WRN m w w FIBEARM. APPLICATION 'FILED MAY 1s. wie.l

ALBERT '.B. PRATT, OF LYNDON, VERMONT.

y FIBEARM.

Specicat'ion of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

Application led may 15, 1916. Serial No. 97,475.

To all whom t may concern l Be' it known that I, ALBERT B. PRATT, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lyndon, county of Caledonia, State of Vermont, have invented an Improvement 'inA Firearms, of which the following description, in connection with the 'accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to lire-arms and among other objects provides a simple and effective gun adapted to be carried on and fired from the head of the marksman.

The gun in its broad aspect is similar to the one shown in my issued Patent No.

.1,183,492, dated May 16, 1916, modified to include certain features of improvement.

The character of the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawlngs, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a helmet having a gunl mounted thereon embodylng the invention, the helmet being .shown in position on the head of the marksman;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in plan and partly in horizontal section of the gun with the top plate and cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a detail showing the latch at the side of the magazine holding the breechblock retreated;

Fig. 4 is a detail showing thev breechblock in position to cock the hammer and the safety member in position to prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin;

Fig. 5 is a vertical, longitudinal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical, longitudinal section taken on line' 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 7, 8 andv 9 are detail views showing the breech-block in dierent positions;

'F ig. 10-isv a vertical, transverse section taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the breechblock; Fig. 12 is a view of the bottom of the breech frame and the track therein;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section through the firing tube shaft; and

F ig. 15 is a transverse section taken on line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

The helmet comprises a bodv 1 (Figl) having front and rear vizors 3 and 5. An

inner band 7 of leather or other suitable material is detachably secured to the body of the helmet by bolts 9 distributed at suitable intervals.- The band may form a part of a cap 1l, also of leather or other material and tting into the body of the helmet. To

prevent the top of the helmet from resting upon the head of the marksman, the cap 1s provided with a lining 13 of leather or other suitable material slitted adjacent the upper edge thereof to receive a take-up strap 15 whichl may be tightened to cause the lining to closely fit the head of the marksman. The cap including the band and its lining may readily be detached from the helmet f and worn as a fatigue cap if desired.-

To assist in holding the helmet on the head of the marksman, an apron 16 of leatheror other material may be secured to the rear edge of the helmet body and be drawn to embrace the back of his head by a strap 16a inserted through slitsl adjacent the lower margin of the apron, said strap having a suitable buckle for the purpose.

To support the gun on the helmet, the latter may be provided with a bedplate 17 (Fi 2) of steel or other suitable material con orming to the top of the helmet and secured thereto. The plate has a rim 19 rising from the edge thereof adapted to receive a flat top plate 21 (Figs. 5, 6 and 10) secured by screws to earsV 22 on said rim. r1`hus there is provided a shallow housing appropriate to contain and protect the gun.

" A spider plate 23 may be mounted on and other suitable material fast thereon and eX- tending longitudinally of the helmet.

The gun comprises a barrel 27 threaded to a breach. frame 29 formed to fit into said receiver. The inward movement of said frame therein may be limited by its engagement with a shoulder 31 (Figs. 2 and 5) formed by a lining 32 at the rear end of said receiver.

4 To detachably secure the breech frame in said receiver, a sleeve 33 is provided beneath the barrel adapted to be rotatively adjusted in straps 35 secured to said barrel to cause a pair of lugs 37 thereon to enter corresponding slots 39 in the spider and bedplates. To facilitate turning the sleeve vfor this purpose, an arm 41 is provided at the outer end thereof. Vhen this' arm depends downward it shows that the lugs are in active engage- 10 in which said grooves contain the ment with their slots. The sleeve may contain a cooking pin 43 to thrust the breechblock away from the barrel as more fully hereinafter described. v

The breech frame 29 (Fig. 12) has an open bottom provided with seats 47 adjacent adapted to 'detachably re- 4 socket 61 threaded to the rear end of said breech frame and its opposite end encircling ,a stud 63 projecting centrally from the rear end of said breech-block. A vent 6 1a in the end of the socket will allow gases to escape therefrom. A firing pin 65 (Figs. 7, 8 and 9) s adapted to slide in a bore in the breechblock and is normally urged rearward by a` coil spring 67 encircling said pin in Said block, but when struck by the hammerits forward end strikes the primer of the cartridge and discharges thesame. pin preferably is `arranged near one side of the breech-block in order to escape the helical spring which' engages said block centrally thereof. A. lateral recess 69 in said block is adapted to receive cartridges from the magazine as more fully hereinafter described. 4

A housing 71 (Figs. 2 and 10) of steel or other suitable material is secured on one of the legs of the spider plate at one side of the breech frame receiver and is formed to receive a cartridge magazine 7 3 having a spring-pressed plunger 75 therein for automatically feeding the cartridgestoward the delivery end of said magazine. The magazine communicates with lateral registering v apertures in said receiver and breech frame and has in-turned, resilient lips 77 adapted to project through said apertures and support a cartridge partially in said frame in readiness to be delivered to the chamber of the barrel, as well shown in Fig. 10.

The breech-block is blown back against the resistance of the spring 59 by the gases from the firing of the cartridge, and is promptly thrust forward again by said spring. In the course ofits forward movement the front end ofthe breech-block engages the head of the cartridge and thrusts the same from the 4magazine into the chamber of vthe barrel. the entrance t0 said chamber and contribute to the guidance of the cartridges thereto. To further contribute to the .guidance of the cartridges and prevent any possibility of The firing' rIhe rails are flush with` receso@ their blocking the entrance'to said chamber, a guide block 77 (Figs. 2 and 12) may be formed in said breech frame and have inclined edges extending from said magazine to said chamber. In the course of they transit of a cartridge from the magazine to the Vchamber the rounded nose thereof will en'- gage said inclined edges and the cartridge will be properly directed to said chamber' without any possibility of its swinging out of axial alinement with -said chamber.V

This guide block has a further important advantage since it enables the entrance to the cartridge chamber to be circular instead of elliptical or irregular form. Consequently the chamberJ may closely embrace the entire circumference of the cartridge shell with the exception of a small notch for receiving the usual spring-pressed extractor 79 (Figs. 2, 7, 8 and 9) on the breech-block. At the time of firing, however, the breechblock is forward against the entrance of said chamber and theextractor projects into and substantially fills said notch. Therefore there is no material interruption in the circumferential contact of the entrance of the chamber with th-e body of the shell. As a result-if a shell should burst, it would expend its force in blowing back the breechblock, without any outlet therefor such as would be likely to cause injury to the marksman. l

To fire the gun a hammer 8l (Fig. 2) is pivoted on a post 83 mounted externally of the breech frame receiver on one of the legs o-f said spider plate. The hammer is urged through registering apertures in said receiver and frame bya helical spring 83 having one end connected to an' arm 85 of said hammer and its opposite en d connected to a screw 87 having a head -engaging a depending wall 89 of a plate 93. rllhe screw 87 is threaded into ajnut 95 held by coilsof said spring of smaller convolution than the main body of `said spring and may be adjusted to vary the tension of the sprin as desired.

To hold the hammer cocke its hub has a tooth 97 adapted to be engaged ,by a sear 99 fulcrumed on a post. 101 secured to said spider plate. The sear is adapted to be tripped by a trigger 103 projecting rearward therefrom, thereby permitting the lspring 83 to cause-the hammer to fiy forward into the breech frame and strike the firing pin 65 with a sharp blow. The sear is held in its position to lock the hammer by a spring I1.04 connected to the trigger and to apost 104i secured on the spider plate.

Next will be described means operable from themouth of the marksman for operating the trigger. To' this end a fluid-pressure responsive device conveniently form of a pneumatic bulb 105 (Fig. 2), is provided, confined between said trigger and a xed abutment 107 on the bedplate. This izo in the t bulb is connected to a tube 109 projecting laterally from a hollow bearing 111 (Figs. 2, 14 'and 15) mounted on the spider plate. A tube shaft 113 is journaled in said bearing and another bearing 115 on said spider plate adjacent the rim of the bedplate. The tube shaft has a lateral port 117 (Figs. 14 and 15) adap-ted to communicate with the bulb tube 109 when rocked to one position, and to cut off communication with said tube when rocked to a different position. Y To prevent leakage between the tube shaft and the bearing 111, stuflingboxes 121 (Fig. 14) are provided at opposite sides thereof.

- The tube shaft projects outward through an aperture in the bedplate rim 19 and is connected to a firing tube 123 (Figs. 1 and 2) of brass or other suitable material adapted to depend therefrom at one side of the face of the marksman. This tube has a section' 125 threaded thereto and adapted to be secured in different positions of adjustment by a lock nut 127, to vary the e'ective length of the tube to conform to di'erent persons as required. The lower end of the section 125 may be provided with a rubber or other suitable piece adapted to be inserted in the mouth of the marksman. When he desires to fire the gun, it is merely necessary for him to blow through the tube, thereby eX- panding the bulb 105 and tripping the searv and releasing the hammer.

The firing tube 123 is adapted to be rocked down to a stop 123a to communicate with the mouth of the marksman in readiness to `fire the gun as shown in full lines in Fig'. l, or

expanding to trip the trigger and fire the' O'un. D To prevent further any possibility of the firing of the gun by the hammer when the tube is in its inoperative position, a safety device is provided comprising a plate 133 (Figs. 2 and 6) .adapted to slide along the side of the breech frame receiver adjacent the hammer. This plate has an aperture 135 for registration with the lateral apertures in said receiver and frame to allow the hammer to rock into the frame to strike the firing pin. When the plate is slid rearward, an edge 137 of its aperture will engage the edge of the hammer and prevent the latter from swinging into the breech frame to said pin. To shift the safety member automatically to this position when the firing tube is rocked up to the vizor to inoperative position, the tube shaft 113 is extended beyond its bearingl 111 through the aperture in the safety member to the receiver and the end thereat is squared to receive an arm 139 fast thereon. The end of this arm is adapted to wipe along an incline or cam surface formed on said slide member. As said arm rocks in a clockwise direction it slides along this cam surface and thrusts the -safety member rearward automatically, and brings its said edge 137 in a position to intercept the hammer and prevent the same from striking the firing pin. At the end ofthe rocking movement of the arm 139, it occupies a. notch 143 in said safety member to lock the arm and prevent any possibility of inadvertent release of said member.

When the firing tube is rocked down to the mouth of the marksman, the arm 139 is rocked in a contraclockwise direction (Fig.

6) out of the notch 143 and releases theV safety member. To automatically shift said member to a position -to prevent intercepting the hammer when the arm is thus rocked, said member may be provided with an ear 145 receiving a rod 147 confined l against longitudinal movement relatively to said ear by flanges 149 on said rod. This rod projects outward through a hole at the front fixed collar 157 on said rod. Thus when the firing tube is rocked down from inoperative position, the arm 139 will move out of'its locking notch 143 and allow thespring 153 to shift the safety member forward out of the way of the hammer.

At times it may be desired to lockithe hammer in inoperative position independy ently of the adjustment ofthe firing tube, as, for example, when the gun is taken apart for cleaning. To accomplish this, the handle 151 may be pressed`to push the rod 147 and safety plate rearward beyond its posivtion where locked by the arm 139. To hold the rod 147 in this position, one of its flanges 149 may haveja lug 159 -projecting therefrom adapted to enter a slot 161 (Fig. 10) in the bedplate on imparting a slight rotation to said rod. On release of the lug from vsaid slot the spring 153 will thrust thesafety member forward until the lug flange 149 engages the fixed stop 155.

When the breech-block blows back it serves automatically to cock the hammer. The face of the breech-block adjacent the hammer would rock the latter out as far as the inner surface of the breech frame, but

into the face of the breech-blockVA thereof may be limited by fast on thebreech .beyond the breech breech frame from the receiver. To rock the hammer to the position referred to, a V-shaped lever 163 (Figs. 2 and 5) is pivotally mounted on thevtop of the breech-block and one arm thereof is adapted to engage the inclined surface 165 of a cam member An important feature of the invention re- --lates to means for automatically locking the breech-block in its retreated position after the last cartridge in the magazine' has been fired. To accomplish this, the springrpressed plunger 7 5 of the magazine may be provided with a finger 169 (Figs. 2 and 3) projecting forwardly therefrom and adapted to advance with the plunger as the cartridges are progressively delivered from the Then the latch 1 When the last cartridge has been to the barrel chamber, the end of said fin-ger will engage the side of the breech-block. When the last cartridge has been fired and' the breech-block has been blown back, said finger, urged forward by the plunger spring, will project into the path of the breech-block, intercept the same and automatically lock it in retreated position. withdrawn from its housing as long as the plunger finger remains in engagement with the spring-pressed breech-block. To permit the removal of said magazine, a sliding latch 171 (Figs. 2 and 3) is mounted in a pocket 173 at one side of the housing. rIhe latch is normally held in retreated position by a spring-pressed lock lever 17 5 pivoted on and carried by saidl latch and pressed through registering apertures in the walls of the housing and magazine. The movement of the latch is limited by a pin 177 which slides in a slot in the wall of said pocket. The inne;- end of the latch when thrust inward is adapted to engage a chamfer wall 179 (Figs. 2 and 4) of a recess i the breech-block, and with cam-like action thrust the breech-block slightly away from the plunger finger and transfer the holding of said block from said linger to said latch. Now the empty. magazine may be removed and a filled ma azine substituted therefor.

l is pulled outward, thereby permitting the lock lever 175 to rock into magazine. delivered the registering openings in the magazine and its housing and serve the dual function frame in the path of saida stop shoulder l The cartridge magazine cannot bev of locking the latch in its retreated positlon and locking the magazine in its housing.

On the withdrawal of the latch, the breech-block is liberated and is thrust sharply forward by its spring and transfers the foremost cartridge of the magazine from the latter into'the barrel chamber in readiness for firing.

The bedplate rim has an opening opposite the outer end of the magazine normally closed by a swing door 180 (Fig. 2). AThe openmg is somewhat wider than the end of the magazine and curved walls 181 and 182 connect the rim 4with the magazine housing to allow plenty of. room for the thumb and nger of the hand'to grasp the magazine in removing and inserting the same. The operation of the latch and lock lever and the removal and insertion of the magazine may bel readily accomplished with yone hand without removing the gun from the head of the marksman.

' The automatic locking of the breech-block in its retracted position on the firing of the last cartridge of the magazine is a desirable feature, since it eliminates the necessity of manually. pushing back the breech-block with the cooking pin to bring the breechblock in a position in readiness to transfer the leading cartridge of the full magazine to the barrel'chamber. As stated this operation is effected automatically on the release of the latch 171'.

Next will be described means for automatically ejecting the empty shells from the chamber of the barrel. To accomplish this the rail 53 referred to, is extended upward somewhat beyond its companion rail 55 to present a shoulder183 (Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12).. When the breech-block is in its forward position against the entrance of the barrel chamber,.the extractor engages a rim of the cartridge shell as shown in Fig. 7. After the firing of the cartridge the breechblock is blown back along its rails and the extractor'drags the cartridge along with it until the opposite edge of the rim strikes thel rail shoulder 183. This causes the shell to be tilted as shown in Fig. 8, and ejected laterally through registering openings 185 (Fig. 2) in the breech frame and its receiver. The breech-block will then move on rearward to its position shown in Fig. 9 in readiness to impel a fresh cartridge forward from the magazine into the barrel chamber.

To form a passage to guide the empty shells from the helmet, partitions 187 and 189 (Fig. 2) are provided projecting uptube is rocked down to the mouth of the marksman in readlness for firlng and may be automatically closed when said tube isy rocked up to the vizor to its inoperative p0` sition. To accomplish this the door is provided with a segmental arm 195 (Fig. 10) projecting inward therefrom and having an elongated slot 196 receiving a Afinger 197 (Fig. 2) fast on the firing tube shaft 113 referred to. Thus the rocking of this shaft will automatically open and close said door. Preferably the door is not opened wide, but inclines downward somewhat to deflect the discharging shells down from the helmet.

To facilitate the cleaning of the gun, a brush 199 (Fig. 2) may be provided adapted to be inserted in a case 201 mounted on the bedplate at the side of the breech frame receiver and extending beneath thel cartridge magazine. This casing has an enlarged end 203 to accommodate the brush and'is adapted to receive a supply of oil for the brush. The stem 205 of the brush projects forward through the neck of the casing and has a handle 207 conveniently accessible at the front of the helmet. The brush may be readily withdrawn from its casing andv thrust into the barrel to clean the same as desired.

To further protect the gun a cover 209 (Fig. 1) may be fitted over the top plate and bedplate rim and may be rounded or slightly domed to contribute to the finished appearance of the helmet. The cover is detachably secured to said rim by spring-pressed clips210. A hood 211 projects forwardly from the cover to protect the barrel of the gun. The cover maybe readily removed and inverted to serve as a cooking pan if desired. In this .use the hood will furnish a convenient handle for the pan. 4

To facilitate adjustment of the helmet to the head of the wearer to present the barrel at the appropriate elevation for firing, a finder may be provided comprising a slotted guide member 213 (Fig. 1) adapted when in use to be yieldingly held against opposed studs 217 fast in the sides of said hood and adapted to slide along the studs 217 when in horizontal position so as to telescope into the helmet when not in use. A sight or index 219 is adapted to slide along this guide member and may be held in different positions of adjustment by a set screw 221. The guide member may be graduated in inches and the index held opposite any. of the graduations desired. Knowing the distance from the axis of the barrel of the gun to a line connecting his eyes, the marksman may adjust the index to a point on the guide corresponding to this distance and then tiltjthe helmet up or down as required until the index is ona level with his eyes. Then the gun is positioned properly for firing and the nder may be rocked up and To facilitate the proper vertical alinement v of the barrel of the gun with the face ofthe marksman a nub 223 (Fig. 1) may be provided on the under face ofthe front of the vizor directly over the nose of the marksman. In puttin on the helmet, the thumb may naturally snnultaneously engage said nub and the nose, and thereby indicate the proper adjustment thereof.

When it is desired to clean the gun, the barrel, breech frame, vbreech-lock, its main spring and guiding track may be readily removed as a unit from the receiver Without removing the helmet from the head of the wearer. To accomplish this, it is merely necessary to turn the sleeve containing the cockmg pin suliciently to release the lugs on said sleeve from the lock slots and then by grasping the barrel said parts may be readily pulled out from said receiver. The mainrspring socket 6l maybe readily unscrewed from the breech frame to remove the main spring and the track may be readily ytaken outl from its seats in the bottom of said frame and the breech-block removed therefrom. rIhus all parts which are subjected to the hardest use are readily 4accessible for removal, replacement, cleaning and repair.

The gun described maybe easily and read- -ily'fired from the head of the marksman leaving his hands free for other purposes as desired. The gun is strong, simple and compact in construction, safe and not liable to get out of order.

W'hile the gun is shown herein as mounted on a helmet, it will bel understood that certain features thereof are not limited to this purpose, but are applicable to guns in general( Having described one illustrative embodiment of the invention without .limiting the same thereto, what I claim as new and desire to secure by. Letters Patent is:

l. In a gun, the combination of a breechframe, a breech-block slidable therein, a magazine, a track below said breech-block having plural projections engaging slots 'in said breech-block, and providing between them av the gun 'i member independent of the hammer for holding said block ininoperative position Ato permit the removal of the magazine from the gun.

3. In a gun, the combination with a barrel, of a breech-block, a hammer, a magazine having a spring-pressed plunger therein for automatically holding said block retreated after the last cartridge in said magazine has been fired, and substitute means inde endent. of the hammer to hold said bloc in 4said position to allow removal of said magazine.

4. In a un, the combination with a barfrel, of a "reech-frame, a' block therein, a

hammer, a magazine, a carrier therefor, a

spring-pressed plunger in said magazinev having an element for automatically locking said block in inoperative position, means for lookinv said magazine in said carrier, and a latc member 171 independent of the hammer having provision for releasing said magazine and provision for holding said block in inoperative position to permit the removal of said magazine from its carrier.

5. In a gun, the combination With a barrel, of a breech-block having a firing pin, a hammer coperating with said pin, and a coil spring for actuating said hammer hav-'- ing a portion of smaller convolution than the main body of the spring, anut held by said portion, and a screw member threaded in said nut to vary the tension of said spring.

6. In agun, plate, of a barrel, a breech frame, -a breechblock therein having a firing pin, a cooking rod, a sleeve containing the same, and a projection on said sleeve for engagement with said bedplate for limiting movement of said breech frame relatively to said bedplate.

. 7 In a gun, the combination with a bedplate, of a barrel, a breech frame connected l to said barrel, a breech-block, a hammer, a

lsleeve carried by said barrelv having a proing. a receiver thereon, of a barrel, a breech frameconnected to said barrel for insertion in said receiver, a breech-block adapted to slide in said frame, and means detachably` to connect said frame VWith said receiver. l

10. The combination with a connected thereto for insertion into Said rethe combinationwith a bedsupport, of a receiver thereon, a barrel, a breech frameizaeoe ceiver, means to detachably connect said frame with said receiver, a cartrldge magazine mounted on said support at one slde of said receiver, and firing -mechanism mounted onsaid support at the opposite side of said receiver.

11. The combination with a support, of a receiver thereon, a barrel, a breech frame, a breech-block adapted to slide in said frame, means detachably to secure said frame in said receiver, a cartridge magazine mounted on said support at one side of said receiver, and a rlng mechanism coperating With said breech-block and mounted on said support at the opposite side of said receiver. Y

12. The combination with a support, of a receiver thereon having lateral apertures therein, a barrel, a breech vframe connected thereto for insertion in said receiver, a cartridge magazine onsaid support at one side 'of said receiver and communicating With one of the apertures in the latter, and airing'mechanism on said support at the opposite slde of said receiver operating through another aperture therein.

13'v The combination with asupport, of a receiver thereon, a barrel, a breech frame for insertion into said receiver, a breechblock adapted to slide in said frame and having a rin pin, a cartridge magazineJ at one side of sai receiver, and a firing mechanism at the opposite side of said receiver, includinga hammer adapted to project into said receiver and strike said ring pin.

14. The combination with a receiver, of a barrel, a breech frame for insertion in said recelver, a breech-block 1n said.- frame, a

cartridge magazine at one side of said receiver, and a firing mechanism coperating With the firing pin at the opposite side of said receiver.l

15. The combination with a receiver having lateral apertures, of ,a fixed barrel, a breech frame connected to said barrel for insertion into Said receiver, a cartridge magazine communicating with one of said lateral apertures, a breech-blockin said frame, and means coperating therewith to eject empty shells through another of said lateral apertures. f l

16.v The combination with a support, of a receiver thereon, a-barrel, la breech frame connected to said barrel for insertion into said receiver, a cartridge magazine on one side oi said receiver, an empty shell receiving chamber on the opposite side of said receiver, and a breech-block in said frame for ej ectin empty shells into said chamber.

17. he combination Withfa bedplate, of

-a receiver thereon, a barrel, a breech frame connected to said barrel for insertion into sald receiver, a magazlne on sald plate to deliver cartrl'd es to one side. of said receiver,nv and a `c amber on the opposite side' of said plate toireceive shells ejected from the said. receiver.

18.. The combination with a bedplate, of a recelver on Said plate having an aperture therein, a barrel, a breech frame connected ing said pin.

19. The combination with a barrel, of a breech frame, a breech-block therein having a firing pin, a firing mechanism including a tube ladjustable to operative and inoperative positions, and a safety member controlled by said tube automatically to prevent said hammer from striking said pin when said tube is in inoperative position.

20. The combination with a barrel, of a breech-block having a firing pin, a hammer to strike said pin, a lSear for said hammer, means including a blow tube to cause said sear to trip said hammer, and a safety member controlled by said tube to lock said hammer.

21. The combination with a barrel, of a firing mechanism including a hammer and a mouth tube adjustable to operative and inoperative positions, and a safety device for automatically locking said hammer when said tube is in inoperative position.

22. The combination with a barrel, of a ring mechanism including a hammer and a blow tube adjustable to operative and inoperative positions, a safety member and an element on said tube to shift said member to lock said hammer when said tube is in inoprerative position.

23. The combination with a barrel, of a firing mechanism including a hammer and a blow tube to operate the Sear to release said hammer, a safety member having a cam surface, and an elementen saidtube to engage said surface to shift said member to prevent said hammer from operating to fire the gun. 4

24. rlhe combination with a barrel, of a breech-block, a firingmechanism therefor including a hammer and a firing .tube adjustable to operative and inoperative positions, a safety member, means to shift the same to a'position to lock said hammer on adjustment of said tube to inoperative position, and means to'lock said member' in said position.

25. The combination with a barrel, of a breechblock, a firing mechanism therefor including a hammer, means'to operate the sear to release said hammer adjustable to operative and inoperative positions, and a safety member to prevent said hammer from firing the gun when said means is in inoperatlve position.

v26. The combmation with a barrel, of a breech-block having a firing pm, a firing mechanism including a hammer and a blow tube adjustable to operative and inoperative positions, a safety member, means to shift said member to a position to limit said ham` mer and prevent the same from striking said pin when said tube is in inoperative position, and means to shift said member further to limit movement of said hammer.

27. The combination with a receiver, of a barrel, a breech frame connected thereto for insertion into-said receiver, a breech-block in said frame, ahammer adapted to project through said receiver and frame toward said block, andsafety means to prevent said hammer from entering said frame, to allow removal of the latter from said receiver,

28. The combination with a receiver, of a barrel, a breech frame connected thereto for insertion into said receiver, a breechblock in said frame, a hammer adapted to project through said receiver and frame toward said block, a safety member, means to adjust said member to prevent said hammer from reaching said block, and means to adjust said-member to prevent said hammer from entering said frame.

29. The combination with a receiver, of a barrel, a breech frame connected thereto for insertion into said receiver, a breech-block in said frame, a hammer adapted to project through said receiver and frame toward said block, a safety member, means to shift said member to prevent said hammer from reaching said block, andmeansindependent of said last named means to shift said member to prevent said 'hammer Yfrom entering said frame. j

30. The combination with a receiver, of a barrel, a breech frame connected thereto for insertion into said receiver, a breech-block Y said member in said position.`

32. The combination with a receiver, of a barrel, a breech frame connected thereto for insertion into said receiver, ka breechblock in said frame, a hammer adapted to project throughsaid receiver and frame toward said block, a safety member, a rod to shift said member to a position to prevent said hammer from firing the gun, means to lock said rod in said position, and spring means tending to shift said member from said position.

33. The combination with a barrel, of a `breech-block, and a firing mechanism therefor including a halnmer, a sear, a trigger to trip said Sear, a blow tube to operate said trigger adjustable to operative and inoper` ative positions, and valvemeans automatically to close said tube When in inoperative position.

34. A gun having a firing mechanism comprising a hammer, and means to operate said hammer including a tube rotative to operative and inoperative positions, and valve means automatically to close the passage in said tube to prevent operation of said hammer thereby When said tube is in inoperative position.

35. A gun having a firing mechanism comprising ahammer, a trigger, a fluid-pressure responsive member to trip said trigger, a

blovv tube adjustable to operative and inoperative posltions, and means providing communication between said tube and device only when said tube is in operative position.

36. In a gun, the combination with a barrel, of a breech frame, a chamber to receive empty shells from said frame, a door for said chamber, a firing member adjustable to operative and inoperative positions, and means automatically to open said'door when said -member is shifted to operative position.

37. In a gun, the combination With a barrel, of a breech frame, a chamber toreceive empty shells therefrom, a door for said chamber, a firing mechanism including a member adjustable to operative and inoperative positions, and means automatically to open and close said door when said member is adjusted to said positions.

38. The combination with ahead gear, of a gun mounted thereon, and a ring tube adapted to project from said gun to the mouth of the marksman, and means to vary the effective length of said tube.

39. The combination with a head gear, of a. gun mounted thereon, and means to fire the gun including a sectional tube extending from said gun to the mouth of the marksf.

man, one of said sections being adjustable relatively to the other to vary the effective length of the tube.

40. The combination with a helmet having a vizor, of a gun mounted on said helmet, and means to fire said gun including a tube adjustable to and from said viZor and the mouth of the marksman, a chamber to receive e'mpty shells having a door, and means automatically to close said door when said tube is adjusted to said vizor and'to open said door When said tube is adjusted to the mouth of the marksman.

41. The combination with a support, of a receiver mounted thereon, a barrel, a breech frame connected thereto for insertion in said receiver, a magazine to deliver cartridges to said frame, and a chamber adjacent said receiver to receive a device for cleaning said barrel.

42. The combination with a support, of a receiver thereon, a barrel, a breech frame connected thereto for insertion into said receiver, a chamber adjacent said receiver having an oil well therein and adapted to receive a brush for cleaning said barrel.

43. The combination With a h ead gear, of

.a gun mounted thereon, a receiver on said head gear, a barrel, a breech frame' connected thereto for insertion into said receiver, and a housing adjacent the latter toreceive a brush for cleaning said barrel.

44. The combination With a barrel, of a eol breech frame, a breech-b1ock therein, a hammer outside of said frame, and rocking means carried by said block automatically to thrust said hammer from said frame on retreat of said block from said barrel.

45. The combination With a barrel, of a breech frame having `a cam thereon, a ham.- mer mounted externallyof said frame, and a member on said block coperating with -said cam to thrust said hammer from said ,frame on retreat of said block from said barrel.

46. The combination 'with a. barrel, of a breech frame, a 'breech-block therein, a cam fixed on said frame, a hammer outside of said frame, and a lever pivoted on saidl block coperating with said cam to thrust said hammer from said frame on retreat of said blockv from said barrel. A 47. The combination with a head gear, of a gun mounted-thereon, and means includ ing a finder toassist in varying the elevation of said gun.

48. The combination with a head gear, of a gun mounted thereon, anda finder depending from said gun in front of the face of the marksman to assist determination of the elevation of said 49. The combination with a head gear, of

a gun mounted thereonhaving a barrel projecting forwardly beyondsaid head gear, av

cover for said barrel, and means depending from said barrel to assist in varying the velevation of said barrel.

50. The combination. with a support 17, of a receiver 25 thereon, a ma azine 'holder 71 on saidl support, a cartri ge magazine -73 Aadapted for insertion into said holder,

a firing mechanism on said support, a barrel 27, a 'breech frame 29 connected thereto adaptedfo'r insertion into said receiver, a

, track 49 in said frame, and a breech-block 57 adapted to slide on said track, said breech frame, track `and block being removable as a unit from said receiver.

51. The vcombination with a support 17, of a receiver 25 thereon, a cartridge magazine 73 on said support at one side of said receiver, a firing mechanism on said support at the opposite side of said receiver, a barrel 27, and a breech frame 29 fitting into and removable' from said receiver.

52. A gun comprising a ring mechanism including a hammer 81, a breech-block 57 having a firing pin 65, a safety device 133 movable between said pin and hammer to prevent said hammer from striking said pin, means 99, 103, 113, 123, to operate said hammer, and means 139 to control said safety device.

53. In an automatically reloading magazine the combination with a barrel and breec block, of a magazine located at one side'of the axis of said barrel, and firing mechanism at the opposite side Voi? the axis of said barrel.

54:. In an automatically reloading magazine gun, the combination with a fixed barrel, of a breech-frame fixed during the operation of the gun, a breech-block sldablev 5 m sald breech-frame, ejecting means carried by said breech-block, a hammer, cocking means operated by lsaid breech-block and including means for moving the hammer entirely out of the range o of the breech-block, a .magazine for feeding cartridges in front of said breech-block when the latter is in retracted position, and resilient means opposing rearward movement of said breech-block while actuating forward movement thereof.

55. In an automatically reloading maga- 'zine gun, the combination of a barrel, a breech-block alined with said barrel, a cartridge magazine located on one sideof the axis of said barrel, a discharge aperture for ejection of cartridge shells on the opposite side of the axis of said barrel, a firing-pin carried by said breech-block, and firing mechanism coperating with said firing-pin located on the opposite side of the axis of said barrel from sai`d magazine, whereby the gun is substantially balanced about the axis of said barrel.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT B. PRATT.

Witnesses:

ROBERT H. KAMMLER, HARRY T. WILLIAMS, v 

